ANDREW SLORANCE fell 50 feet from a tree when he was 14 years old, suffering from paralysis and ending up in a wheelchair. Medical scientists ensured him that he would be cured within ten years. Nineteen years later and still in his wheelchair, Andrew sets out on a spiritual journey in search of an alternative form of healing.

First stop is Garbandal, a small village in northern Spain famous for the frequent apparitions of the Virgin Mary that are reputed to take place there. Andrew struggles to the top of a hill in his wheelchair but the Virgin does not make an appearance. His luck does not change when treatment from a charismatic Texan priest, who has made a pilgrimage to this holy site with his congregation, fails to cure his paralysis.

Undaunted, Andrew returns to his birthplace, southern India, where he seeks the help of SATHYA SAI BABA, a renowned healer who claims to have infinite power and has built an immense following, and temple, in the town of Puttaparthy. In spite of the fact that he was recommended by Andrew's doctor, 'Baba' fails to impress his potential patient after his heavies inexplicably manhandle Andrew out of an audience for a 'miracle'.

Andrew's Australian friend Will recommends the power of Aboriginal healing which, if nothing else, appears exempt from the charlatanism associated with other spiritual healing methods. Inspired by tales of the healing power of goannas and the work of an Aboriginal lady called LORRAINE, Andrew at last finds faith in one of the alternatives he has pursued but, unfortunately, is still unable to leave his wheelchair.

Brazil is the last stop on Andrew's search for salvation, where he visits the Casa de Dom Inacio, where Joao de Deus performs his apparently miraculous work for the needy. Unlike other spiritual healers, Joao actually performs physical operations on his patients. Or, as Joao has it, God uses him as a conduit to perform his operations. Whether conducted by Joao or God, the treatments are frequently terrifying and painful to watch. The patients however, in spite of a total lack of anaesthetic, swear that they feel absolutely no pain during the often frightening procedure.

Andrew's treatment is, thankfully, more restrained than that which others endure, but he can still feel the force of Joao's work at certain points in the procedure. Andrew is still unable to walk however but Joao continues to work on him and claims he may be able to cure him in six months. Although still confined to his wheelchair, Andrew leaves the Casa de Dom Inacio with renewed faith.

For more information log on to www.friendsofthecasa.org.

Exec Prod: JOANNA HEAD
Prod/Dir: ANDREW SLORANCE
Prod Co: OZSCOT FILMS
Press contact: Ashley Jones, 020 7306 8115; ajones@channel4.co.uk
Picture Request Line: 020 7306 8685
Comm Ed: Janet Lee